Published Jun 17, 2008
JettaDP
268 Posts
I am considering a move to Fort Collins, CO. I have family there and would like to be near them. Can you give me any information about Fort Collins, such as, do they have a hospital? What is the average pay for a new grad RN? Do you suggest a better place to work? Do you have a suggestion for apartment rentals? Do you like the community? And so on...... Anything you think will be useful for me to know, please share. )
Thank you!!
MCR_RN
7 Posts
Hello!
I think you would definately like the Fort Collins area. I just moved back after 6 years in Arizona. Mild seasons, educated community, outdoor and fitness oriented. It is a popular place so traffic is picking up. Poudre Valley Hospital and the new Medical Center of the Rockies (same affiliation) are located in Ft. Collins and Loveland. Northern Colorado Medical Center (Banner) is in nearby Greeley and McKee Medical Center (Banner) is located in Loveland. Starting pay for a new grad RN is $24. Surprisingly its difficult to get in the door but well worth the effort! Poudre Valley is a magnet hospital.
Hope this helps!
Roger
newgradrn08
3 Posts
I have lived in Fort Collins all my life. I just moved to Colorado Springs becasue I was not able to get a new grad position. I suggest looking into Poudre Valley. They are a magnet hospital. I did all my clinicals there and loved it. Was sad not to stay. Cost of living is very high there. Very nice community, good schools, close to the mountains. Can't tell you the base pay for new grads. I guess i am just repeating what the guy before me said, but...... I love Poudre Valley, it is a great hospital. Hope this helps.
nolongeributhe09
24 Posts
I am considering a move to Fort Collins, CO. I have family there and would like to be near them. Can you give me any information about Fort Collins, such as, do they have a hospital? What is the average pay for a new grad RN? Do you suggest a better place to work? Do you have a suggestion for apartment rentals? Do you like the community? And so on...... Anything you think will be useful for me to know, please share. ) Thank you!!
Hi! Are you in Fort Collin? I am moving to Fort Collin because of my husband's job this fall. Can you share your experience and information about the hospitals there? Thanks
hope3456, ASN, RN
1,263 Posts
Just a warning, it can be difficult to get hired with PVHS ( both hospitals) . I don't know how much experience you have but it is very competitive for new grads, especially. As a former employee, I know they would get several applicants (even experienced RN's) for each posted position. Northern CO isn't much affected by the 'nursing shortage.'
~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN
5,259 Posts
I love Ft. Collins, I moved here in Summer of 06 and after living all over the country it's my favorite place so far. I start the nursing program at Front Range Community College in August. Can not say enough good things about FoCo especially if you have kids!
Yeah I agree - Fort Collins is a awesome place to live. PVH is also a great hospital to work at. For these reasons, nurses 'flock' to this area and northern CO which creates alot of competition. That is why it is so hard to get a job with PVH or Banner hospitals. The last time I checked PVH was only hiring new grad RN's who had a preexisting contract with them for employment.
Hmmmmm that is not what the PVH HR lady told me about a month ago, but she did say first priorities go to 24 students a semester contracted out between the 3 schools they contract with. My school is one of them. She didn't say though that they aren't hiring any other outside new grads. Obviously not sure though, She also said they have many positions for RN's with Previous Exp.
The student specifically has to have a contract with pvh and it is even competitive to get the contract.....in which you agree to work for them for 2 years in exchange for tuition reimbursement. The Banner hospitals do the same thing. Even if you attend FRCC and do not have a contract with them, it will be difficult to get hired with them.
katie_c_s
22 Posts
I got my first BS from CSU in FC in 2006 and I had mixed feelings about it. I don't think it's close to the mountains at all, but I grew up in a town surrounded by 14ers, so maybe I just don't consider the foothills "mountains". Also, it is growing fast. Traffic can suck and I could not believe how much growth there was when I vistited 2 years later. It's insane. I have heard great things about the hospitals though. For rentals, just be careful you don't end up with a ton of loud college students. Hope that helps a bit! Good luck.
Well this is not what the HR lady told me that I spoke to about a month ago at all. I assumed she knew what she was talking about, but maybe I was wrong in assuming. The whole reason I contacted her was to find out what is the best thing for a NS to do to help up their chances of getting hired on at PVH. That is when she gave me specifics and none of which is what you mentioned.
Banner put a freeze on tuition reimbursement according to a couple of friends I have that work there. They had to put their schooling on hold because of it. They weren't going for nursing though it was another field so I am not sure if it only effected them.
I am lucky, I live on the quiet end of town. I am not a fan of crowds so I avoid Oldtown when I can for the very reason you spoke of. I have to take one of my sons to dance lessons over on that side twice a week and I hate driving over there. Especially now with the nice weather, it's like no one has heard of a cross walk and all these kids kept darting out in the road to cross. Man I was getting so annoyed.
I will stay on the other end of town in my quiet happy area HAHA